Atrial fibrillation a simple guide to the

Atrial Fibrillation is an abnormal irregular heart beatLung diseases and hyperthyroidism contributes to itIt is caused by coronary heart disease and other heart conditionOther causes are congenital heart disease and systemic afflictionsTypically there is fast heart beats and sense of palpitationsThere may chest pains and difficulty in respirationThere may congestive heart failure and ankle swellingThere are irregular heart beats and faintingBoth atrial chambers are enlarged due to irregular heart conditionsECG will confirm the presence of atrial fibrillationTreatment is to prevent the throwing out of blood clotsThese blood clots can cause heart attacks and strokeTreatment is usually with digoxin, dilatrend and aspirinSometimes you may have to use the blood thinner warfarinWhich while good and cheap can cause severe bleedingCardioversion and pacemaker procedures may be more lasting.-An original poem by Kenneth KeeInteresting Tips about Atrial FibrillationA Healthy Lifestyle1. Take a well Balanced Diet2. The treatment of atrial fibrillation is aimed ata. Regulating the heart beat and rhythm- digoxin, dilatrend, beta blockersb. Preventing blood clots to be thrown out in the blood stream -anticoagulantsc. In cases of uncontrolled tachycardia, immediate cardio version may be done.Regulating the heart beat:a. Rate controlRate control is by drugs to reduce the heart rate to 60 to 100bpm without changing to a regular rhythm.The medications work by blocking the AV node reducing the electrical impulses to the ventricles.b. Beta blockers such as metoprolol, atenolol, bisoprololc. Cardiac glycosides (digoxin)d .Calcium channel blockers (i.e. diltiazem or verapamil)e. Amiodarone has AV node blocking effects which can be usedRhythm control work to restore the regular heart rhythm and maintain it with drugs.The anti-arrhythmic medications make the heart tissue less excitable.Prevention of blood clots in blood stream:Anticoagulation with drugs as below reduce the risk of blood clots being thrown out from the heart and blocking the passage of blood in the arteries of the heart or braina. Aspirinb. Clopidogrel in those who are allergic to aspirin3. Keep bones and body strongBone marrow produces our bloodEat foods rich in calcium like yogurt, cheese, milk, and dark green vegetables.Eat foods rich in Vitamin D, like eggs, fatty fish, cereal, and fortified milk.Eat food rich in Vitamins B and C such as green vegetables and fruitsZinc and other minerals are important to the body4. Get enough rest and SleepAvoid stress and tension5. Exercise and stay active.It is best to do weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging, stair climbing, dancing, or lifting weights for 2½ hours a week.One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week.6. Do not drink more than 2 alcohol drinks a day for a man or 1 alcohol drink a day for a woman.Alcohol use also increases the chance of falling and breaking a bone.7. Stop or do not begin smoking.It also interferes with blood supply and healing.Chapter 1Atrial FibrillationAtrial Fibrillation is a heart condition where the disordered electrical impulses of the atrial muscle lead to irregular electrical impulses to the ventricular heart muscles resulting in irregular heart beats.Age: 8% of people over 80 have AFFamily history of AF increases risk by 30%.Atrial Fibrillation is caused by underlying heart conditions such as:1. Primary heart diseases:a. Coronary artery diseaseb. Mitral stenosisc. Mitral regurgitationd. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathye. Pericarditisf. Congenital heart diseaseg. Previous heart surgery2. Hypertension (High blood pressure)3. Lung diseases such asa. Pneumonia,b. Lung cancer,c. Pulmonary embolism,d. Sarcoidosis4. Excessive alcohol consumption5. Hyperthyroidism